Jewish Men’s Clubs to boycott Scottish whiskey

The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) in North America has asked to boycott scotch from distillers located in West Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland at Kiddush celebrations.

The group has called for Jews to avoid certain brands of spirits following a boycott of Israeli goods instituted by the local council of the whiskey-producing region.

The list of distilleries that were named in th boycott include: Morrison Bowmore, Loch Lamond and Chivas Brothers, reports jpost.com.

Chivas Brothers produces the well-regarded Chivas, Glenlivet and Ballantine’s brands which are the preferred spirits in many so-called ‘Kiddush clubs,’ which gather following services in some synagogues.

FJMC Executive Director Rabbi Simon’s boycott urge followed after Israeli-Anglo blogger and pro-settlement activist, Jameel Rashid publicized on his website a letter to several distilleries located within West Dunbartonshire.

In his letter he stated, the global counter boycott of Scottish whiskey products, distilled in the West Durbanshire council region, is beginning, and requested officers to cease the purchase of any goods that made or grown in Israel.

The West Dunbartonshire Council, while it has not responded publically to calls endorsing a boycott of locally manufactured spirits, has defended the decision which sparked the protest.

The council’s boycott only relates to goods ‘made or grown’ in Israel. The vast majority of mainstream books by Israeli authors are published in the UK, and are therefore not affected by this boycott.